Page 19 of Second Draft

“Canada?”

“Yeah.”

I want to punch the little bastard. “You’re kidding me, right?”

“It’s good money.”

“And it would get you out of here,” I say, knowing that’s the main reason he’s even considering it.

He nods slowly, and looks out the large bay window, blue eyes unreadable.

“And Layla? What do you plan to do about her?”

“I thought she could stay here. At least until she finds a place of her own.” He doesn’t look at me, just keeps staring out the window.

“You’re a real asshole, you know that?”

“Yeah. I know.” He drags his fingers through his hair and turns to meet my gaze. For the first time since he told me about the pregnancy, I actually see remorse in his eyes. “Will you let her stay?”

“I’m not going to kick her out if that’s what you’re asking.”

He gives a small nod, his expression relaxing slightly. “I do care about her.”

“You’ve got a funny way of showing it.”

Ignoring me, he continues, “She’s different than the other girls I’ve been with. There’s something about her. You know?”

Yeah, I know. I saw it the first time I laid eyes on her.

Travis rubs his temples.

“I can’t bail you out of this one. You know that. Whether you like it or not, Layla and this kid are part of your life now.”And mine.

His jaw tightens and he nods.

“I’m not saying you have to marry her–”

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen.” He stands abruptly, clearly agitated. “I’m going to have a shower.”

“Travis.” The command in my voice stops him. “This doesn’t have to be a bad thing.”

He snorts. “You can say that because it’s not your life she’s fucking with. You want her to have the kid so bad, then you take care of it.”

My chest tightens, and something stirs inside of me. Yeah, it’s that damn caveman again. Growling to comply with Travis’ request.

You take care of it.

Watching Travis skulk up the stairs, I know there’s nothing I can say to change his mind. And there’s a small part of me that doesn’t want to. Because if, or whether when, he walks away, I have no intention of just offering her the deal he’s laid out.

I have a deal of my own. One that will finally make her mine.

Chapter 6

Layla

The house is empty when I come home from work. Which isn’t that unusual. If Travis isn’t throwing a party, he’s typically out at a club, or at one of his stoner buddies’ houses. But the minute I walk into the kitchen and see the folded note on the kitchen table with my name scribbled on it, my insides clench.

I place my purse on the chair and pick up it up, slowly unfolding it.

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